Livermore Valley: Taste of Terroir

TASTE OUR TERROIR IN LIVERMORE VALLEY WINE COUNTRY JULY 26-29

The French term terroir expresses “a sense of place,” the way local conditions of land, climate, culture and technique combine to create wine attributes specific to a region.

Livermore Valley, Calif (PRESS RELEASE)—Taste Our Terroir, Livermore Valley’s premier food and wine affair, returns for four delectable days in 2018 as the historic region celebrates and educates wine lovers about its unique “taste of the land.” From July 26th to the 29th, Livermore Valley wineries will offer 13 different events, including the popular food and wine pairing competition, a winemaker concert, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting seminars and vineyard tours. VIP tickets grant early access to Thursday’s food and wine pairing competition. All event tickets are on sale now at www.LVwine.org.

Taste Our Terroir 2018 will begin Thursday night, July 26, 6-9pm with the region’s signature event, the annual quest for food and wine pairing excellence at Casa Real in Pleasanton. Twenty Livermore Valley winemakers have partnered with Bay Area chefs to compete for honors. Experts Jim Gordon of Wine Enthusiast Magazine, Ellen Fort of Eater SF and Ian White of San Francisco Magazine (see bios below) will sample the gourmet pairings in a blind tasting before awarding Most Innovative Pairing, Judges’ Best Pairing and Best Classic Pairing.

Guests will have the opportunity to taste the 20 pairings, bid on luxurious silent auction items, enjoy decadent desserts presented by Sysco and cast two votes in the People’s Choice competition for the best red and white wine pairings. VIP tickets ($125 until sold out) include a sparkling wine reception at 4:30pm with wineries pouring on the patio and access to the pairings at 5pm (one hour early). General admission tickets are $85 in advance and $95 after July 1st at www.LVwine.org. This event sells out every year—there will be no tickets available at the door.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, wineries across Livermore Valley will host cooking classes, blending sessions, vineyard tours and other unique experiences highlighting the region’s terroir. Visit www.LVwine.org for tickets and details on all events, which include:

FRIDAY | JULY 27: 
Wente Lunch in the Garden
10:30-1pm at Wente - Arroyo Road Location
Savor our Terroir - a garden lunch at Wente Vineyards. 

Join Wente Vineyards' Winemakers and Master Gardener, Diane Dovholuk, as they take you through an experience like none other. Sip on wines created from the very vines ou are standing amoung as you are guided though the vineyards. Afterwards, rest your feet and feast on a delectable meal made with fresh ingredients from Wente Vineyards' on-site organic herb and vegetable garden. [$115] 

Cure it & Pair it with Chef Chad Welsh
12:00pm-2:00pm at Mitchell Katz Winery

Meet at us Mitchell Katz winery for a delicious lunch and food curing demo from Chef Chad Welsh. Chef will be performing a live demonstration on how to cure two different varieties of Salmon, paired with Mitchell Katz sauvignon blanc, two chardonnays, and their rosé.  [$50]

Winemaker Concert with Mark Clarin and Dane Stark
6pm-9pm at Chandler Vineyards Estate

Join us for a special night at Chandler Vineyards. Experience the terroir of the vineyard through a rare comparative tasting of Page Mill Winery and McGrail Vineyards’ Chandler Vineyard Chardonnay wines. Winemakers Mark Clarin and Dane Stark will be performing their musical talents throughout the evening. Spend your night wine tasting, dancing, and dining on delicious hors d’oeuvres. You don’t want to miss out on this one of a kind event! [$100]

A Well Aged Evening
7pm-9pm at Rios Lovell Estate Winery

Guests will begin the evening in the banquet hall of Rios Lovell Estate Winery for a short lecture dedicated to Ports and Port making. The night will continue with Port tastings out of the barrel, with pairings of delicious chocolates and an array of fine cheese. [$45]

SATURDAY | JULY 28

Yoga in the Vineyard
10am-12pm at Retzlaff Vineyards

Start your morning off with some relaxing Yoga on the lawn at Retzlaff Vineyards. Your yoga instructor will guide you through an hour of stretches, followed by tastings from Retzlaff Vineyards, Nella Terra Cellars, Omega Road Winery and Nottingham Cellars. Make sure to bring your own mat, towel and water! [$30]

Bees and Beads at el Sol Winery
1:30-3:30 at el Sol Winery

Beads 101: Join the Sol Sisters at el Sol Winery for a fun and creative jewelry making experience. All skill levels welcome. Tools and supplies provided for you to make your choice of a lariat, choker, bracelet or earings. "I have enough jewlery," said no one ever! 

After you hand craft your jewlery, enjoy some honey tasting and bee keeping demonstrations with a live, working colony. [$45]

Concannon Vineyard’s 135th Anniversary Landmark Tour
4pm-6pm at Concannon Vineyard

Join Fourth Generation Vintner John Concannon for this fun and fascinating winery experience which includes a walking tour of our stunning 135 year old landmark vineyard estate and unique topiaries that Ernesto, our chief landscaper, has been carefully curating for over 30 years. You will enjoy a special tasting of four of our award-winning Reserve wines while learning why Concannon is a wine pioneer in California Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Complete this memorable tasting experience in a historic setting where our Estate Sommelier LeeAnn Kaufman will guide you through a featured wine paired with one exquisitely prepared, small bite. [$55]

From Past to Present, a Spirits Tasting
6pm-7:30pm at Eckert Estate Winery and Artisan Spirits Distillery

Take a step back to the 1800's and experience a live and educational demonstration of the process of spirit distillation. Eckert Estate Winery and Artisan Spirits is inviting you to engage in a historical overview of the distilling process of brandy, gin, absinthe, and liqueur productions. Admire several rustic 100 year old props and tools that were used to produce a number of unique spirits, and partake in three different aroma bars and tastings. Challenge your palate in an new way, and see which spirit is your favorite. [$40]

Sunset Lobster Dinner
6:30pm-8:30pm at Darcie Kent Vineyards

Start your evening by sampling Livermore Valley award winning wines from Darcie Kent Vineyards, McKahn Family Cellars, Fenestra Winery, Wente Vineyard and Page Mill Winery while watching the preparation of a typical East Coast Lobster Bake, hosted by Darcie Kent Vineyards. Put on your lobster bib and dig in! The table will be filled with fresh Maine lobster, prawns, sausage, corn on the cob, garlic, artichokes, potatoes, bread, and lots of butter served family style! Ticket includes: Wine Tasting, Lobster Dinner and 1 bottle of wine per 2 tickets [$115]

SUNDAY | JULY 29

Boots on the Ground, Wine in your Glass
10am-12pm at Murrieta's Well

Learn about the Bordeaux varietals that surround Murrieta’s Well Estate Vineyard while hiking through the vineyards with winemaker Robbie Meyer. After experiencing some of Livermore Valley’s best views during the vineyard hike, Robbie Meyer will lead you through an array of Estate Grown wines while sampling some small bites from the Murrieta's Well culinary team. [$75]

Micro Climate Tasting of Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
1:30pm-3:30pm at The Steven Kent Winery

Spend the afternoon inside the Reserve Room, as you experience a rare micro climate tasting of cabernet wines. Featured wineries and vineyards are The Steven Kent Winery - Ghielmetti Vineyard, Murrieta's Well - Sachau Vineyard, Nottingham Cellars - Smith Ranch Vineyard and Mia Nipote - Lencioni Vineyard. Winemakers from each location will discuss the vineyard and its particular climate and what it contributes to the finished product. [$65]

A Little Taste of Italy
3pm-5pm at Garré Vineyard and Winery

Conclude your weekend with an escape to a little slice of Italy. Garré Vineyard and Winery is hosting an afternoon featuring special Italian Varietal wines, Bocce Ball, and some antipasto provided by Garré Café. You will sample wines from Garre Vineyard, Charles R Vineyards, Rios Lovell Estate Winery, Rodrigue Molyneaux and Mitchell Katz Winery. The menu will consist of Nonna's Beef Meatball in Nonna's Gravy, Lamb Lollipops, Cherry tomatoes stuffed with avocado mousse, Baked Brie cheese in puff pastry with Jamaican relish, Cheese & fruit board. This relaxing and unique event is the perfect way to wrap up your weekend of Taste Our Terroir activities. [$55]